Chapter 40: Kisses Before the Storm

Lu Zijin reached out and pulled Wei Lan up a little, smiling.

“Be careful not to choke.”

“Mm, I’m done washing, wife.

Go wait for me outside.”

Wei Lan was still shy, especially since she and Lu Zijin had just kissed.

 

Lu Zijin, still smiling, looked at Wei Lan and hooked her chin.

“What’s the matter?

We’re married.

Can’t I even look at you?”

“No, I’m shy.”

Wei Lan reached out and grabbed Lu Zijin’s wrist, shaking it, looking at her softly.

 

Only then did Lu Zijin nod.

After all, she and Wei Lan were legally married wives.

If she wanted to look, she would see it eventually, so there was no rush.

Her little Qiankun was too shy; teasing her too hard at once would be counterproductive.

It was better to take it step by step.

“Alright, I’ll go wait for you outside.”

Lu Zijin reached out and touched Wei Lan’s wet hair, her eyes curving slightly.

 

Wei Lan waited until Lu Zijin had gone behind the screen before getting out of the tub, drying herself off, and quickly putting on a new dress.

She dried the remaining water droplets from her hair with a cloth and walked out.

 

Lu Zijin was still sitting at the round table drinking tea.

She smiled at Wei Lan, stood up, and took the cloth from Wei Lan’s hand.

“I’ll do it.”

 

With that, Lu Zijin gently dried Wei Lan’s hair.

When she stood face to face with Wei Lan, she leaned in and kissed Wei Lan’s lips, then watched as Wei Lan’s cheeks and earlobes slowly turned red.

 

A little Qiankun without aggression and very obedient suited her tastes perfectly.

 

Wei Lan secretly glanced at Lu Zijin and reached out to gently tug at her sleeve.

 

Lu Zijin smiled at Wei Lan, not stopping the hair-drying motion.

“Why are you so shy?

It seems I haven’t kissed you enough.

I need to get you used to it sooner.”

 

Hearing this, Wei Lan felt like her whole body was burning red.

But her wife’s lips were soft and sweet; she actually quite liked them.

 

Lu Zijin reached out and took another dry cloth from the screen and continued drying Wei Lan’s hair.

Wei Lan just stood there obediently, letting Lu Zijin do as she pleased.

 

Lu Zijin’s eyes were deep as she looked at Wei Lan, but her drying motions were very gentle.

“I just told them I’m staying here tonight.

Do you want to eat first, or sleep with me for a while?”

 

After all their antics, it was almost noon.

 

Wei Lan thought for a moment, then looked at Lu Zijin.

“Let’s eat first.”

“Alright.

I’ll have them prepare it.”

Lu Zijin helped Wei Lan dry her hair a bit more, then walked to the door.

She opened it, gave a few instructions to the servants outside, and then returned to the room.

 

Wei Lan had already switched to a third cloth to dry her hair.

Ancient people all had very long hair.

It was truly beautiful, but also truly high-maintenance.

For example, just drying your hair took nearly half a day.

 

Wei Lan stopped when her hair was no longer dripping.

She sat down at the dressing table, simply tied her hair into a bun, and fastened it with a hairpin.

 

While Wei Lan was doing her hair, servants continuously brought fragrant dishes into the room.

 

Wei Lan stood up and walked back to the round table.

She sat down next to Lu Zijin, and seeing the dark circles under Lu Zijin’s eyes, she guiltily picked up a piece of braised pork rib and put it on Lu Zijin’s plate.

“Wife, you should eat some too, to replenish yourself.

Then you can have a good sleep later.”

“Okay.”

The knot between Lu Zijin and Wei Lan had been untied, and she immediately felt lighter.

Her appetite was better than the previous few days, and besides, Wei Lan had picked up the food for her.

Lu Zijin decided to finish the rib.

 

Wei Lan, on the other hand, had already begun her sweep of the table.

Every mealtime, Wei Lan ate quickly and heartily.

By the time she stopped, half the dishes on the table had been eaten by her.

 

Originally, in modern times, Wei Lan didn’t have such a large appetite.

The reason she could eat so much now was probably because this body was a Qiankun.

Qiankuns seemed to be able to eat more than Kunzes and neutrals.

 

After lunch, Lu Zijin had the servants clear the dishes.

She and Wei Lan washed up briefly and then went to bed.

 

Wei Lan lay flat on the outside of the bed, nervously clutching the blanket, not daring to look at Lu Zijin.

 

Lu Zijin, on the other hand, turned sideways and moved next to Wei Lan.

Seeing Wei Lan didn’t dare look at her, she smiled and kissed Wei Lan’s lips.

Then she saw her little Qiankun indeed turn red from head to toe.

“Scoot over a bit, or you’ll fall off.”

Lu Zijin’s gaze fell on Wei Lan as she spoke softly.

“Mm.”

Wei Lan obediently scooted inward, then found Lu Zijin straddling her waist and abdomen as before.

 

Wei Lan was a bit shy.

She glanced up at Lu Zijin and asked softly, “Aren’t you tired?

Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I’m going to sleep with you right now.”

As she spoke, Lu Zijin’s thumb again landed on Wei Lan’s lips, pressing lightly.

But Lu Zijin had long lost her usual patience.

Having tasted the sweetness, how could she hold back?

 

She immediately leaned down and kissed Wei Lan.

Wei Lan, soft and whiny, cooperated with Lu Zijin’s movements, her hands helplessly clutching the hem of Lu Zijin’s waistband as Lu Zijin pressed her down and kissed her.

 

After a good while, Wei Lan felt she could no longer breathe and pushed at Lu Zijin on top of her.

 

Lu Zijin reluctantly pulled back slightly, her ink-dark eyes still fixed on Wei Lan’s lips, as if savoring the taste.

She pressed her lips together.

 

Wei Lan, on the other hand, gasped for fresh air.

Just now, she felt like Lu Zijin was going to devour her.

 

Seeing her little Qiankun’s cheeks and earlobes flushed red, her eyes misty, impossibly soft, Lu Zijin only felt an even greater itch in her heart, wanting more.

The kiss just now was far from enough.

“Be good.

With more practice, you’ll get used to it.

Feeling better?”

Lu Zijin’s fingertips gently stroked Wei Lan’s cheek.

 

Wei Lan rested for a while and was already much better.

“Much better.”

“Mm.

Then let’s try again.”

With that, Lu Zijin kissed Wei Lan again.

Before Wei Lan could fully recover, she was kissed until her whole body went soft.

 

Lu Zijin kissed for a while, afraid her little Qiankun below couldn’t take it, so she pulled back slightly, giving Wei Lan time to breathe.

But seeing how adorable the person beneath her was, Lu Zijin’s kisses traveled from Wei Lan’s forehead, over the tip of her nose, her cheeks, and finally landed on Wei Lan’s gland opening.

 

Wei Lan, already struggling to hold on, trembled when her gland opening was kissed.

“Wife, no more.

I have no strength left.

Let’s sleep early.”

 

Wei Lan’s voice was soft and delicate, but Lu Zijin was only spurred on more intensely.

The scent of fresh snow pheromones spread throughout the bedroom.

 

Lu Zijin tore off the plaster on her own neck, letting the white sandalwood scent blend with the fresh snow.

 

She nibbled for a while, then lifted her head slightly and lightly kissed Wei Lan’s lips again.

She said softly, “Isn’t this sleeping?

Be good.”

 

Wei Lan, smelling the white sandalwood, felt her mind grow hazy.

Before long, she was being kissed by Lu Zijin again.

She almost stopped thinking altogether, obediently following Lu Zijin’s lead, letting her wife kiss her.

 

After a good long while, Lu Zijin finally propped herself up slightly, satisfied.

She looked down at Wei Lan beneath her and, seeing her little Qiankun seemed unable to take any more, she stopped.

 

She lightly kissed the corner of Wei Lan’s lips and said softly, “Now we can sleep.”

 

With that, Lu Zijin changed positions, burying herself in Wei Lan’s arms, and closed her eyes, preparing to sleep.

 

Wei Lan, however, hadn’t yet come back to her senses.

Her heartbeat raced.

She had just been pinned down and kissed by her wife for a long time.

Something didn’t seem right.

Wasn’t she the Qiankun?

 

Wei Lan thought softly, but seeing that Lu Zijin seemed really tired, she didn’t make a sound.

She obediently let Lu Zijin sleep in her arms and even reached out to put her arm around Lu Zijin’s lower back.

 

In the bedroom, the scents of white sandalwood and fresh snow mingled.

Wei Lan smelled it for a while, then grew too drowsy to keep her eyes open.

 

Outside, Li Zhufeng and the others were waiting, ready to be called at any moment.

Li Zhufeng and Zhao Linghui exchanged glances, both seeing regret in each other’s eyes.

 

If they had known the master would be so favored, they would never have dared to frame Wei Lan.

Unfortunately, it was too late now.

 

On Qianxue’s side, she also sent someone to tell the various managers waiting in the study to go back and report everything tomorrow.

 

The few managers were very surprised.

After all, Lu Zijin had a strong personality; even if she were sick, she wouldn’t ignore business matters.

 

One of the older managers asked, “Miss, is the young lady unwell?”

 

The person sent to deliver the message was Qing Zhi, one of the three senior maidservants of Jingchen Courtyard.

Qing Zhi certainly couldn’t say the young lady had gone to see the master, so she simply prevaricated.

“Oh, the young lady said she has important matters to handle.

It’s not a health issue.”

“That’s good.

Then we’ll take our leave.

Goodbye.”

The few men said their goodbyes and left Jingchen Courtyard.

 

***

 

Wei Lan woke up early after a nap, but Lu Zijin in her arms was still asleep.

 

Afraid of disturbing Lu Zijin’s rest, Wei Lan could only lie beneath her wife, obediently serving as a mattress.

 

With nothing else to do, she simply looked at Lu Zijin in her arms.

Lu Zijin’s skin was fair, her eyelashes were long and curled, her lips were pink and tender.

No wonder kissing her felt so comfortable.

 

Wei Lan thought back to their kissing earlier and couldn’t help but blush again.

Then she felt something was off.

She was the Qiankun.

Shouldn’t she be on top?

Why was her wife always on top?

 

Wei Lan didn’t understand.

Were Qiankuns here always on the bottom?

She decided to ask Lu Zijin later.

 

After looking at Lu Zijin for a while, Wei Lan closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

It looked like she wouldn’t be able to finish carving that rooster plaque today; it would have to wait until tomorrow.

 

When Lu Zijin woke up, it was already late afternoon.

She opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Wei Lan.

 

Lu Zijin buried her face in the crook of Wei Lan’s neck and nuzzled, then propped herself up slightly and kissed Wei Lan’s lips.

She asked softly, “Have you been awake for a long time?”

 

Wei Lan, her earlobes slightly flushed, nodded.

“Mm, for a while.

I was afraid of waking you, so I didn’t move.”

“So good.

Don’t you deserve a reward?”

As Lu Zijin spoke, she kissed Wei Lan again.

 

Wei Lan’s lips were very soft.

Lu Zijin quite liked kissing Wei Lan.

No wonder people liked to stick together after marriage.

So this was the fun of it.

If she had known her little Qiankun was this kissable, she would have started doing this to her sooner.

 

Sure enough, after being pinned down and kissed for a while, Lu Zijin saw Wei Lan’s eyes grow misty again, and her earlobes were completely red.

 

Lu Zijin reached out and gently pinched Wei Lan’s red earlobes, playing with them.

Seeing her little Qiankun so obedient, she leaned down and lightly kissed Wei Lan’s lips again, rubbing her nose affectionately against Wei Lan’s.

“So good.”

 

Wei Lan felt strange all over but didn’t dislike the feeling.

However, still thinking about how she was supposed to be the Qiankun, she reached out and grabbed the hem of Lu Zijin’s waistband, asking softly, “Wife, shouldn’t the Qiankun be on top?”

“Who told you that?

No one ever said the Qiankun has to be on top.

And look at you, all soft and whiny.

Could you be on top?”

Lu Zijin kissed Wei Lan’s lips and asked with a smile.

 

Wei Lan thought for a moment.

That seemed to be true.

She didn’t have any strength.

So she might as well just lie there.

It was quite comfortable anyway.

“Alright then, I suppose.”

Wei Lan reached out and grabbed Lu Zijin’s collar, looking at her pitifully, and then was kissed again.

 

She was pinned down and kissed by Lu Zijin for a good while before finally being let go.

 

Seeing that her little Qiankun couldn’t even catch her breath properly, Lu Zijin was finally satisfied.

The corners of her mouth held a smile as she leaned down again to kiss Wei Lan’s gland opening, then got off her.

 

Lu Zijin felt very refreshed as she got up and put on her dress.

Wei Lan, on the other hand, was left with her body limp, her cheeks and neck flushed, and her eyes still misty.

 

Wei Lan pulled the blanket up a little, covering half her face, and looked at Lu Zijin.

 

Seeming to sense Wei Lan’s gaze, Lu Zijin turned and walked to the bedside.

She leaned down and kissed Wei Lan’s cheek, saying softly, “Be good.

Get up and eat dinner first.

You can sleep again later if you want.”

 

Wei Lan reached out and hooked Lu Zijin’s collar, acting spoiled.

“No strength.”

 

Looking at her little Qiankun, so soft and delicate, Lu Zijin couldn’t help but kiss her again.

 

Wei Lan was almost kissed to tears before Lu Zijin finally let her go.

 

She helped Wei Lan sit up and coaxed softly, “I’ll have them make your favorite chicken soup, okay?

Eat a little something.”

“Mm.”

Wei Lan leaned against Lu Zijin’s shoulder and nuzzled, regaining her strength.

 

Wei Lan rested for a good while until she no longer felt weak in the legs.

She reached out and pushed Lu Zijin.

“Wife, I’m okay now.”

“Good.

Then get up and put on your dress.”

Lu Zijin let go slightly, went to the door, opened it, gave some instructions to the young maidservants outside, and then returned to the bedroom.

 

Wei Lan had already put on her dress and was just about to tie her own belt.

 

Lu Zijin took it from her, kissed Wei Lan’s lips, and smiled.

“Let me do it.”

 

Wei Lan’s earlobes turned red, and she nodded softly.

“Mm.”

 

But as Lu Zijin tied, she ended up hugging Wei Lan again.

 

It was Wei Lan who pushed her away, saying shyly, “Wife, hug me later.

I’m hungry.”

“Alright.

Then let’s eat first.”

Lu Zijin smiled.

“Mm.”

Wei Lan was finally let go by Lu Zijin.

 

Outside, the maidservants brought in the dinner dishes one by one.

 

But before Lu Zijin and Wei Lan could start eating, a guard arrived from the back gate.

The guard seemed to say something to Qianxue, who quickly came in to report.

“Young lady, this…”

Qianxue handed a jade plaque to Lu Zijin.

 

Lu Zijin looked at the jade plaque.

There was nothing special about it, except that in the lower right corner of the back, a very small character ‘Chuan’ was carved.

 

Lu Zijin pressed her lips together, glanced at Wei Lan beside her, thought for a moment, and then instructed, “Have all the maidservants and servant boys in the courtyard leave for now.

We’ll call them if needed.

Also, have the guard bring that person over.”

“Yes, young lady.”

Qianxue quickly went to arrange it, sending all the servants and maids in the courtyard away, as well as the servants and maids from Jingchen Courtyard back there.

 

Thus, only Qianxue remained standing guard outside Wei Lan’s bedroom door.

 

Wei Lan took a couple of sips of the pork rib congee in her bowl and asked curiously, “Wife, who is that person?”

 

Lu Zijin looked down and thought for a moment.

Thinking of her recent interactions with Wei Lan, she felt she probably wouldn’t want another Qiankun in the future.

It was time to let Wei Lan know about some family matters.

“It should be my cousin’s person.”

Lu Zijin said.

 

Wei Lan searched the content of the original book.

It seemed to only mention that Lu Zijin’s cousin was the marshal of the Mobei Army, but that their families had lost contact for a long time, almost completely cut off.

There was nothing else.

And that book was only half-finished, ending when the original body was thrown out of the Lu residence with broken legs.

“Your cousin?”

Wei Lan asked.

“Mm.”

Lu Zijin nodded.

Seeing Wei Lan was curious, she continued, “My cousin is stationed at the northern border of the Great Zhou, the place people often call Zhuozhou.

She is the marshal of the Mobei Army, commanding a hundred thousand troops.

The emperor is old and very wary of my cousin.

So, on the surface, we’ve cut off contact, but in reality, we still have dealings.”

 

Lu Zijin looked at Wei Lan and said, “Only Qianxue and I know about this in the residence.

Now, only you as well.

Remember, you absolutely cannot tell anyone else about this, otherwise it will bring disaster.”

 

Wei Lan nodded. “Don’t worry.

I won’t tell anyone.

But from what you’re saying, my cousin’s situation seems dire?”

 

Lu Zijin sighed.

“Indeed, it’s dire.

My cousin alone commands a hundred thousand Mobei troops.

The emperor both relies on her and fears her.

Moreover, the Mobei Army is an army passed down through the Fan family line, and it’s also the most powerful army in the Great Zhou.

The emperor fears my cousin even more for that.”

 

Although Wei Lan hadn’t been in this world long and didn’t know much about the so-called political situation, this kind of situation was all too common in history.

Loyal ministers being suspected, persecuted, stripped of military power, even falsely accused – these things happened all the time.

And Lu Zijin had just mentioned the emperor was old.

There would surely be a series of messy events like princes fighting for the throne.

Rather than relying on others, she felt Lu Zijin’s cousin might as well establish her own domain.

 

But Wei Lan didn’t know much about the current political situation, so she didn’t voice her thoughts.

 

Before long, Qianxue knocked on the door.

“Young lady, the person has arrived.”

“Please come in.”

Lu Zijin quickly said.

 

Soon, a person wearing a cloak and a veil entered the bedroom.

Qianxue quickly closed the door.

 

Wei Lan looked at the newcomer.

The person was about 173cm tall, wrapped up so tightly that she was even more covered than Wei Lan when she pretended to be Qinglan.

 

Wei Lan was looking at the person, and the person was also looking at Wei Lan.

 

Lu Zijin seemed to recognize the newcomer.

Seeing that the person’s gaze kept falling on Wei Lan, she quickly said,

“Cousin, this is my Qiankun, one of us.”

 

Lu Zijin’s voice wasn’t very loud, especially the word ‘cousin’, which she said very softly.

 

The newcomer took off her wide cloak and also removed her veil.

 

She smiled at Lu Zijin.

“How are things at home?”

 

Fan Chuan had heard about her cousin’s situation.

She was in a similarly difficult position.

All the other family members were gone.

To protect the Lu residence, her cousin had to take on a daughter-in-law.

“Everything is fine.

Cousin, this is Wei Lan, my Qiankun.”

Lu Zijin stood up to introduce her.

When she introduced Wei Lan to Fan Chuan, she couldn’t help but blush.

 

Among her elder relatives, she only considered Fan Chuan as truly close family.

This time, she was also introducing Wei Lan to her only remaining relative.

 

Fan Chuan was stunned for a moment.

She had originally thought taking on a son-in-law was just a tactic her cousin was using.

But now it seemed her cousin actually felt something for this Qiankun in front of her.

 

Fan Chuan nodded at Wei Lan. “My name is Fan Chuan.

I am Zijin’s cousin.”

“Hello, cousin.”

Wei Lan smiled at Fan Chuan and greeted her politely.

“Let’s sit down and talk.”

Lu Zijin said, quickly pouring Fan Chuan a cup of tea.

 

Fan Chuan’s gaze fell on Wei Lan, hesitant to speak.

 

Lu Zijin understood Fan Chuan’s meaning and smiled, explaining, “Wei Lan is one of us.

No need to avoid her.”

 

This made Fan Chuan look at Wei Lan in a new light.

Her cousin managed the entire Lu residence’s business and was a woman of high standards.

What skill did this Wei Lan have to earn her cousin’s favor?

 

But since Lu Zijin had said so, Fan Chuan spoke.

“I came this time on orders to return to the capital to report on my duties.

The army is still behind me; I arrived three days early.

I wanted to take the chance to see you.

The guards you asked for last time, I’ve also selected them for you.

But to be safe, I’ll have them come to you in a few days.”

“Good.

Then thank you, cousin.”

Lu Zijin quickly smiled and thanked her.

“No need.

You’ve been holding up the Lu residence all by yourself; it must have been hard.

I have an empty title as marshal but can’t help you much.”

Fan Chuan’s family was all gone.

She had long regarded Lu Zijin as a younger sister, but because of her special identity, she could do nothing for her.

“Cousin, don’t say that.

Just the fact that you came to see me makes me very happy.

But this time when you go to the capital, cousin, you’ll definitely be targeted by all sides again.

Have you thought of a countermeasure?”

Lu Zijin asked worriedly.

 

Her cousin worked hard guarding the border, but the royals didn’t trust her.

If there were a way to take away her military power, the emperor would have probably dealt with her already.

 

Fan Chuan sighed and said, “I probably won’t be able to resist this time, especially the matter of marriage.

His Majesty will probably insist on arranging a marriage for me this time, planting someone by my side to watch me.”

“What will you do then?”

Lu Zijin quickly asked.

 

Fan Chuan gave a bitter smile.

“What else can I do?

Just endure it.

His Majesty is old; the various princes probably can’t sit still anymore either.

Once I return to the capital, those people will likely compete to win me over.”

 

Just thinking about it made Fan Chuan lose interest.

Military affairs in Mobei were heavy.

The soldiers bled and died at the border to protect the Great Zhou.

But the nobles in the capital only cared about their own interests, scheming for so-called wealth and honor.

Fan Chuan only felt disheartened.

Disheartened for her deceased family, and even more so for the hundred thousand soldiers of Mobei.

 

Wei Lan listened for a while and gained a general understanding of the political situation.

So the current situation was that the old emperor was fatuous, the various princes wanted to ascend the throne soon, and Fan Chuan held the most elite hundred thousand troops in the Great Zhou.

All sides wanted to both win her over and guard against her.

This situation was indeed a bit dire.

 

Wei Lan pressed her lips together.

Seeing that Lu Zijin and Fan Chuan seemed very close, she couldn’t help but offer a reminder.

“The hundred thousand troops in your hands, cousin, are both your lifeline and your death warrant.”

 

Fan Chuan’s heart trembled.

What Wei Lan said was indeed correct.

She knew this in her heart too.

“The old emperor doesn’t trust you and will send people to watch you.

The various princes want to win you over.

Once you pick a side, the emperor will become even more suspicious of you, and the other princes will resent you.

And the prince you side with will only be grateful to you for a time.

Once he ascends the throne, the first person he’ll deal with will be you.

Because the troops in your hands are too powerful.

Even if you have no rebellious intentions, the emperor won’t trust you.”

Wei Lan slowly analyzed.

 

Fan Chuan was astonished for a long moment.

She hadn’t expected a son-in-law Qiankun like Wei Lan to say such things.

So she decided to ask further, treating it as idle chatter.

She wouldn’t lose anything by hearing Wei Lan out.

“If it were you, what would you do?”

Fan Chuan asked.

 

In the bedroom, both women’s gazes fell on Wei Lan.

Wei Lan thought for a moment and then said, “If it were me, I wouldn’t side with anyone.

I would wholeheartedly pledge loyalty to His Majesty.

After returning to Mobei, I would recruit more soldiers, stockpile food supplies, and wait for the right moment.

Rather than being controlled by others, it’s better to take the initiative into your own hands.

This realm originally belongs to those with virtue.

Since the Great Zhou has fallen into such chaos, why not break through the old to establish the new, and just start over?”

 

In the bedroom, both Fan Chuan and Lu Zijin were shocked by Wei Lan’s words.

Lu Zijin, in particular, hadn’t expected her soft, delicate little Qiankun to be thinking about rebellion.

 

She reached out and tugged at Wei Lan’s sleeve.

“You can’t just say things like that.”

 

Wei Lan smiled and said, “Of course I know that.

Aren’t these all family?

I’m just giving my cousin a suggestion.

With so many troops in your hands, both the current old emperor and any future young emperor will fear and suspect you.

They will definitely try to strip you of your military power.

Those people in power don’t care about your loyalty, nor do they care about the soldiers’ hardships.

They only care about how to maximize their own interests.

Of course, I’m just talking casually.

Cousin, feel free to take it as you will.”

 

Fan Chuan, however, kept her gaze fixed on Wei Lan, unable to look away for a long time.

Wei Lan’s idea was actually something she had considered too.

But the Fan family was full of loyal martyrs.

Her father and brothers died defending the northern border.

Did she really want to rebel?

 

Seeing Fan Chuan still pondering, Wei Lan spoke again.

“The old emperor is old.

I think the capital will be in chaos before long.

When the princes fight for the throne, cousin, you can raise your army under the banner of ‘clearing the court of evil’.

That way, your campaign will have a legitimate reason.

Of course, the premise is that you need to prepare the troops and supplies in advance.”

 

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